Computer Implemented Animal Management System

ABSTRACT

Specifically, a computer implemented animal management program having modules which function to match animal information retrieved from a radiofrequency identification device(s) implanted in an animal(s) with animal information retrieved from a database of at least one computer to assess animal condition and time treatment events.

This application is the United States National Stage of InternationalPatent Corporation Treaty Patent Application No. PCT/US2010/002509,filed Sep. 14, 2010, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/276,723, filed Sep. 15, 2009, each herebyincorporated by reference herein.

I. TECHNICAL FIELD

Generally, a computer implemented animal management system.Specifically, a computer implemented animal management method whichmatches animal information retrieved from a radiofrequencyidentification device implanted in an animal with animal informationretrieved from a database of at least one computer.

II. BACKGROUND

A conventional radiofrequency identification device (“RFID” or “RFIDdevice”) is an object that can be attached to or incorporated into aproduct, animal, or person typically for the purpose of locating andidentification of that object using radio waves. Certain RFID devicescan be written to and read from a distance away and do not have to be inthe line of sight of a RFID device writer or reader. The current thrustin RFID device use is in supply chain management for large enterprises.RFID devices increase the speed and accuracy with which inventory can betracked and managed thereby saving money for the business.

Conventional RFID devices (such as tags, labels, dots or the like)contain at least two parts. One is an integrated circuit for storing andprocessing information, modulating and demodulating a radio frequency(RF) signal and perhaps other specialized functions. The second is anantenna for receiving and transmitting the radio signal. A technologycalled chipless RFID allows for discrete identification of RFID deviceswithout an integrated circuit, thereby allowing tags to be printeddirectly onto assets at lower cost than traditional RFID. For example,in 2006, Hitachi, Ltd. developed a passive device called the μ-Chipmeasuring 0.15×0.15 mm (not including the antenna), and thinner than asheet of paper (about 7.5 micrometers) silicon-on-Insulator (SOI)technology is used to achieve this level of integration. The Hitachiμ-Chip can wirelessly transmit a 128-bit unique identification numberwhich is hard coded into the chip as part of the manufacturing process.The unique ID in the chip cannot be altered, providing a high level ofauthenticity to the chip and ultimately to the items the chip may bepermanently attached or embedded into. The Hitachi μ-Chip has a typicalmaximum read range of 30 cm (1 foot). In February 2007, Hitachi unveiledan even smaller RFID device measuring 0.05×0.05 mm, and thin enough tobe embedded in a sheet of paper.

An RFID device interrogator, also referred to as a RFID reader, is anelectronic device that receives the radio signal from the RFID device.In many cases, the interrogator also generates the interrogation signal.Interrogators or readers require a power supply, network connection, andantenna in order to function. Depending on application, these componentsmay be separate or integrated. Interrogators come in variousconstructional forms and methods of operation.

A significant problem with RFID devices can be that the memory in whichdata can be stored is limited. As a non-limiting example, the 128 bitROM above-described can only store one unique 38 digit identificationnumber. Understandably, as the number of bits which can be encoded on aRFID increases so does the cost and the size of the RFID. Accordingly,the ROM of RFID devices utilized for tracking, locating andidentification of goods remains between 100 and 200 bits and certain ROMof RFID devices include even fewer bits such as 50-100 bits ROM, or evenfewer bits.

Another significant problem with RFID devices may be that there is nocomputer implemented animal management system available for encoding andupdating RFID information of an RFID implanted in an animal andintegrating the RFID information with relational and storage databasesin a server or remote computer for the purpose of remotely monitoring,tracking, sorting, diagnosing, or treating each RFID implanted animal.

The inventive computer implemented animal management system describedherein addresses each of these problems by providing computerimplemented functions which provide a method which matches animalinformation retrieved from a radiofrequency identification deviceimplanted in an animal to animal information retrieved from a databaseof at least one computer.

III. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Accordingly, a broad object of the invention is to provide an inventiveRFID implantable in an RFID object such as an animal or other asset anda RFID reader which can retrieve RFID information from the implantedRFID and computer implemented animal management program (also referredto as an animal management application) which provides executableprogram instructions in the form of various program modules each ofwhich function to integrate retrieved RFID data with data in relationaldatabase tables and storage database tables or analyze the RFID data anddata from relational databases for each RFID implanted in an animal.

A second broad object of the invention can be to provide computerimplemented instructions of an animal management program which in partautomatically enters retrieved RFID information into relational databasetables and storage database tables for each RFID implanted in an animaland further provides a manual data entry module which upon activationallows animal information to be manually entered into relationaldatabase tables and storage database tables for each RFID implanted inan animal.

A third broad object of the invention can be to provide computerimplemented instructions of an animal management program which in partprovides an alert module which generates lists of animals implanted withRFID having sensor which provides sensed animal information which fallsoutside of pre-established threshold values for a particular sensedanimal characteristic or sensed incorrect animal location.

A fourth broad object of the invention can be to provide computerimplemented instructions for entry and monitoring diagnosis andtreatment plans for animal having sensed animal information which fallsoutside of pre-established threshold values for a particular sensedanimal characteristic.

A fifth broad object of the invention can be to provide computerimplemented instructions for automatically sorting animals implantedwith RFID based on sensed animal information and animal information inrelational database tables and storage database tables into groups thatcan be optimally located together.

Naturally, further objects of the invention are disclosed throughoutother areas of the specification, drawings, photographs, and claims.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of particular computer means andradiofrequency identification means of a particular embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a RFID reader having hardware and firmwareof a particular embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram which shows a particular embodiment of theinvention which includes a bolus containing at least one sensor whichprovides sensed RFID object information and an RFID to which sensed RFIDobject information can be encoded and subsequently collected by an RFIDreader.

FIG. 4 is block diagram of a particular embodiment graphic userinterface which can be generated by a particular embodiment of theanimal management application of the invention.

FIG. 5 is block diagram which shows the functionalities of a particularembodiment of a manual data entry module of the animal managementapplication of the invention in regard to entry of RFID identificationinformation into RFID object relational databases.

FIG. 6 is block diagram which shows further functionalities of aparticular embodiment of a manual data entry module of the animalmanagement application of the invention in regard to entry of diagnosisinformation into RFID storage database tables.

FIG. 7 is block diagram which shows further functionalities of aparticular embodiment of a manual data entry module of the animalmanagement application of the invention in regard to entry of treatmentinformation RFID storage database tables.

FIG. 8 is block diagram which shows further functionalities of aparticular embodiment of a manual data entry module of the animalmanagement application of the invention in regard to entry of pendefinitions RFID storage database tables.

FIG. 9 is block diagram which shows the functionalities of a particularembodiment of an alert module of the animal management application ofthe invention in regard to generating an alert list relating to RFIDobjects having sensed RFID object characteristics which exceed thresholdlimits for a particular RFID object characteristic.

FIG. 10 is block diagram which shows the functionalities of a particularembodiment of an alert module of the animal management application ofthe invention in regard to generating an alert list relating to RFIDobjects having sensed RFID object characteristics which exceed thresholdlimits for a particular RFID object characteristic.

FIG. 11 is block diagram which shows the functionalities of a particularembodiment of a hospital module of the animal management application ofthe invention in regard to generating an hospital list of RFID objectswhich are receiving treatment in accordance with a treatment plan.

FIG. 12 is block diagram which shows the functionalities of a particularembodiment of a pen module of the animal management application of theinvention relating to a watch module which functions to generate a listof RFID objects which are located in the incorrect location or pennumber.

FIG. 13 is block diagram which shows the functionalities of a particularembodiment of a pen module of the animal management application of theinvention relating to an autosort module which automatically sorts RFIDobjects into groups based on RFID object information and pen definitionssuch that animals of similar status can be grouped together.

V. MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Generally, a computer implemented animal management system.Specifically, a computer implemented animal management program havingmodules which function to match animal information retrieved from aradiofrequency identification device(s) implanted in an animal(s) withanimal information retrieved from a database of at least one computer toassess animal condition and time treatment events.

The inventive computer implemented animal management system may bedescribed herein in terms of functional block components, screen shots,and various process steps. It should be appreciated that such functionalblocks may be realized by any number of hardware or software componentsconfigured to perform the specified functions. For example, theinventive computer implemented animal management system may employvarious integrated circuit components which function without limitationas memory elements, to modulate and demodulate radio frequency signal,processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables, or the like, whichmay carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or moremicroprocessors or other control devices.

Similarly, the software elements of the present invention may beimplemented with any programming or scripting language such as C, C++,Java, COBOL, assembler, PERL, Labview or any graphical user interfaceprogramming language, extensible markup language (XML), Microsoft'sVisual Studio .NET, Visual Basic, or the like, with the variousalgorithms or Boolean Logic being implemented with any combination ofdata structures, objects, processes, routines or other programmingelements. Further, it should be noted that the present invention mightemploy any number of conventional wired or wireless techniques for datatransmission, signaling, data processing, network control, and the like.

It should be appreciated that the particular implementations shown anddescribed herein are illustrative of the invention and its best mode andare not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the present inventionin any way. Indeed, for the sake of brevity, conventional datanetworking, application development and other functional aspects of thesystems (and components of the individual operating components of thesystems) may not be described in detail herein. Furthermore, theconnecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein areintended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physicalcouplings between the various elements. It should be noted that manyalternative or additional functional relationships or physicalconnections may be present in a practical data encoding-decoding system.

As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the presentinvention may be embodied as a method, a data processing system, adevice for data processing, a computer program product, or the like.Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of an entirelysoftware embodiment, an entirely hardware embodiment, or an embodimentcombining aspects of both software and hardware. Furthermore, thepresent invention may take the form of a computer program product on acomputer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program codemeans embodied in the storage medium. Any suitable computer-readablestorage medium may be utilized, including, but not limited to harddisks, CD-ROM, optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, ROM,flash RAM, or the like.

The present invention may be described herein with reference to screenshots, block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of the animalmanagement system to describe computer programs, applications, ormodules which can be utilized separately or in combination in accordancewith various embodiments or functions of the invention. It will beunderstood that each functional block of the block diagrams and theflowchart illustrations, and combinations of functional blocks in theblock diagrams and flowchart illustrations, respectively, can beimplemented by computer program instructions. These computer programinstructions may be loaded onto a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable data processing apparatus forimplementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable memory that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablememory produce an article of manufacture including instruction meanswhich implement the function specified in the flowchart block or blocks.The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer orother programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series ofoperational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmableapparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that theinstructions which execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in theflowchart block or blocks.

Accordingly, functional blocks of the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations support combinations of components for performing thespecified functions, combinations of steps for performing the specifiedfunctions, and program instruction means for performing the specifiedfunctions. It will also be understood that each functional block of theblock diagrams and flowchart illustrations, and combinations offunctional blocks in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, canbe implemented by either special purpose hardware based computer systemswhich perform the specified functions or steps, or suitable combinationsof special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

Now referring primarily to FIG. 1, which shows a block diagram of anon-limiting embodiment of a computer and related elements which can beutilized to implement embodiments of a computer implemented animalmanagement system including, without limitation, a server computer (1)having at least one processing unit (2), a memory element (3), and a bus(4) which operably couples components of the server computer (1),including, without limitation the memory element (3) to the processingunit (2). The server computer (1) may be a conventional computer, adistributed computer, or any other type of computer which may containall or a part of the elements described or shown to accomplish thefunctions described herein; the invention is not so limited. Theprocessing unit (2) can comprise without limitation onecentral-processing unit (CPU), or a plurality of processing units whichoperate in parallel to process digital information, or a digital signalprocessor (DSP) plus a host processor, or the like. The bus (4) can bewithout limitation any of several types of bus configurations such as amemory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus usingany of a variety of bus architectures. The memory element (3) canwithout limitation be a read only memory (ROM) (5) or a random accessmemory (RAM) (6), or both. A basic input/output system (BIOS) (7),containing routines that assist transfer of data between the componentsof the server computer (1), for example during start-up, can be storedin ROM (5). The computer (1) can further include a hard disk drive (8)for reading from and writing to a hard disk (not shown) a magnetic diskdrive (9) for reading from or writing to a removable magnetic disk (10),and an optical disk drive (11) for reading from or writing to aremovable optical disk (12) such as a CD ROM or other optical media.

The hard disk drive (8), magnetic disk drive (9), and optical disk drive(10) can be connected to the bus (4) by a hard disk drive interface(13), a magnetic disk drive interface (14), and an optical disk driveinterface (15), respectively. The drives and their associatedcomputer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage of computer-readableinstructions, data structures, program modules and other data for theserver computer (1). It can be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat any type of computer-readable media that can store data that isaccessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memorycards, digital video disks, Bernoulli cartridges, random access memories(RAMs), read only memories (ROMs), RFID devices or the like, may be usedin the exemplary operating environment.

The server computer (1) can further include an operating system (16) andan inventive animal management application (17) which as to certainembodiments of the invention can include a radiofrequency identification(“RFID”) encoder-decoder application (18) which functions to encode anddecode RFID data (38) to and from a RFID device (19) (the RFID devicetypically comprising a programmable microcircuit and an antenna whichcan be affixed to a wide variety of materials in numerous and variedconstructional forms) using a RFID programmer (20) connected to the bus(4) by a RFID interface (21) may be stored on or in the hard disk,magnetic disk (10), optical disk (12), ROM (5), in RAM (6) as shown bythe particular embodiment of a server computer (1) shown in FIG. 1, oralternately the functionalities of the data encoder-decoder application(18) may be implemented as an application specific integrated chip(ASIC) or file programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like.

A computer user (22) can enter commands and information into the servercomputer (1) through input devices such as a keyboard (23) and apointing device (24) such as a mouse. Other input devices (not shown)may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner,magnetic strip of a card, or the like. These and other input devices areoften connected to the processing unit (2) through a serial portinterface (25) that can be coupled to the bus (4), but may be connectedby other interfaces, such as a parallel port, game port, or a universalserial bus (USB). A monitor (26) or other type of display device canalso be connected to the bus (4) via interfaces such as a video adapter(27), or the like. In addition to the monitor (26), the server computer(1) can further include a peripheral output device(s) (28), such asspeakers and printers.

A “click event” occurs when the computer user (22) operates at least onefunction of the animal management application (17) or the RFID deviceencoder-decoder application (18), or other program or other applicationfunction, through an action or the use of a command which for examplecan include pressing or releasing a left mouse button (29) while apointer element (30) is located over a control icon (31) displayed onthe monitor (26). However, it is not intended that a “click event” belimited to the press and release of the left button (29) on a mouse (24)while a pointer element (30) is located over a control icon (31).Rather, the term “click event” is intend to broadly encompass any actionor command by the computer user (22) through which a function of theoperating system (16) or the animal management application (17), or theRFID device encoder-decoder application (18), or other program orapplication is activated or performed, whether through clickableselection of one or a plurality of control icon(s) (31) or by computeruser (22) voice command, keyboard stroke(s), mouse button, touch screen,touch pad, or otherwise. It is further intended that control icons (31)can be configured without limitation as a point, a circle, a triangle, asquare (or other geometric configurations or combinations orpermutations thereof), or as a check box, a drop down list, a menu, orother index containing a plurality of selectable options, an informationfield which can contain or which allows input of a string ofalphanumeric characters such as a street address, zip code, county code,or natural area code, animal identification number or by inputting alatitude/longitude or projected coordinate X and Y, animal pen number,or other notation, script, character, or the like.

The server computer (1) may operate in a networked environment usinglogical connections (32)(33) to one or a plurality of remote computers(34). These logical connections (32)(33) are achieved by a communicationdevice (35)(36) coupled to or a part of the server computer (1). Each ofthe plurality of remote computers (34) can include a part or all of theelements above-described as included in the server computer (1) althoughonly a single box has been illustrated in FIG. 1 for the remote servercomputer (34). The logical connections (32)(33) depicted in FIG. 1 canestablish a local-area network (LAN) or a wide-area network (WAN). Suchnetworking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-widecomputer networks, intranets and the Internet (37)

When used in a LAN-networking environment, the server computer (1) canbe connected to the local network through a network interface (36) typeof communications device. When used in a WAN-networking environment, theserver computer (1) typically includes a modem (35), a type ofcommunications device, or any other type of communications device forestablishing communications over the WAN, such as the Internet (64). Themodem (35), which may be internal or external, is connected to the bus(4) via the serial port interface (25). In a networked environment, thedata encoder-decoder application (17), or portions thereof, may bestored in any one or more of the plurality of remote computers (34). Itis appreciated that the logical connections (32)(33) shown are exemplaryand other hardware means and communications means can be utilized forestablishing a communications link between the server computer (1) andone or more of the a plurality of remote computers (35).

While the computer means and the network means shown in FIG. 1 can beutilized to practice the invention including the best mode, it is notintended that the description of the best mode of the invention or anypreferred embodiment of the invention be limiting with respect to theutilization of a wide variety of similar, different, or equivalentcomputer means or network means to practice embodiments of the inventionwhich include without limitation hand-held devices, such as personaldigital assistants or camera/cell phone, multiprocessor systems,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs,minicomputers, mainframe computers, PLCs, or the like.

With respect to those embodiments of the invention which provide theRFID encoder-decoder application (18), the animal tracking system canfurther include a RFID interface (21) and a RFID programmer (20) forprogramming RFID data (38) to a RFID (19). The term RFID (19) for thepurposes of this invention can be any type of radiofrequencyidentification device as above-above described or otherwise which can beattached, incorporated, implanted, imprinted, or held (individually andcollectively referred to herein as “implanted”) on or within an RFIDobject (39). For the purposes of this invention, an RFID object (39) caninclude any manner of object to which an RFID (19) can be implanted andwhile examples of particular embodiments of the invention are describedin the context of an animal tracking system, an animal managementsystem, or attaching, applying, implanting or otherwise coupling an RFID(19) to an animal (40) (or a plurality of animals) such as cattle, deer,sheep, pigs, or the like, the invention is not so limited and thefunctionalities described herein can be applied in general to assettracking systems, asset management system in which an RFID can beattached, applied, implanted or otherwise coupled to an asset (41) suchas goods whether being transported or in inventory, packages, componentparts whether in a manufacturing process or during transit, or the like.

Now referring primarily to FIGS. 1 and 2, the computer implementedanimal management system (or RFID object management system) can furtherinclude an RFID reader (42) (or plurality of RFID readers). The RFIDreader(s) (42) may transmit a radio-frequency carrier signal (43) to theRFID (19). The RFID (19) may respond to the radio-frequency carriersignal (43) with a RFID data signal (44) to send and receive an amountof RFID information (45) from the RFID (19), or the like.

One non-limiting embodiment of the RFID reader (42) shown in FIGS. 1 and2, can provide hardware in the form of an electromagnetic fieldgenerator (46) which manages the power level and induction of anelectromagnetic drive antenna (47) having inductance between about 3.5 Hand about 4.5 H with a 1 to 4 twist, a radio frequency signal receiver(48) which manages a receiving antenna (49) which collects the amount ofRFID information (45) sent by the RFID (19) (as one example Digikey PartNo. TH71111ENE-ND). In another non-limiting embodiment, a radiofrequencymodule (46 a) (as one non-limiting example a RF Monolithics, Inc., PartNo. TR7000) which manages a single antenna (47 a) (as a non-limitingexample a Linx Technologies Part No. ANT-433-MHW-SMA-S) for both sendingand receiving of RFID information (45).

The RFID reader (42) hardware, can further include a RFID readerprocessor (55) which can perform computations based on sensed RFIDobject information (56) (which can be sensed animal information wherethe RFID object is an animal (40)) (see for example FIG. 3) andcalibration data (57) (see for example FIG. 3) (as non-limiting examplesIntel Part No. T80960SA16; Digikey Part No. 803846-ND). A first RFIDreader memory (52) can store the amount of RFID information (45)transmitted with the radio-frequency carrier signal (43) (asnon-limiting examples Intel Part No. GT28F160B3BA9DSB93, Digikey PartNo. CAT28F512LI-12-ND). In an alternative the RFID reader processor (55)can integrally include the first RFID reader memory (52) (asnon-limiting examples, Intel Part No. TN80960SA16; Digikey Part No.8093846-ND; or Microchip Technology Part No. 2411256-I/SM EEPROM). Asecond RFID reader memory (58) used by the RFID reader processor (55)can perform read-write functions (as one non-limiting example DigikeyPart No. CAT1640WI-42-T3cT-ND).

The hardware can further include a communication controller (50) whichprovides communication with the server computer (1) or remote computer(34) via LAN or WAN (as non-limiting examples Intel Part No. DA82562EM;Digikey Part No. 829707-ND); a LAN port or a WAN port (51) for wired orwireless connection to the server computer (1) or remote computer (34)(as non-limiting examples of wired port connection Amphenol Part No.RJHSE-5381; Digikey Part No. 829707-ND or wireless port connectionspecification 802.11 revs. a, b, g, or n or bluetooth rev. 1 orbluetooth rev. 2). In alternate embodiment the RFID reader processor(55) can be programmed to further provide the functionalities of thecommunication controller (50) in the form of Intel Part No. TN80960SA16;Digikey Part No. 8093846-ND; or Microchip Technology Part No.2411256-I/SM EEPROM.

A clock (53) (as non-limiting examples Digikey Part No.CAT24C256WI-G-ND; Digikey Part No. MC88LV926DWR2T-ND; or NPXSemiconductor Part No. PCF8583TD-T) can function to govern timing ofevents controlled by the RFID reader processor (55) and couples adate-time stamp (54) (see FIG. 3) to the amount of RFID information(45).

A RFID reader power source (59) (typically 12 volt direct current in therange of 3.5-4.5 amperes) which can include a voltage regulator (as anon-limiting example a Digikey Part No. LM317D2TR4GSCT-ND).

Again referring primarily to FIGS. 1 and 2, the particular embodiment ofthe RFID reader (42) shown can further include a RFID reader application(60) (see “firmware” in FIG. 2) in the form of RFID reader modules (61)which can be stored in the first RFID memory (52) of the RFID reader(42) (or could be located in the computer server (1) or in the remotecomputer (34), as shown in FIG. 1). The RFID reader modules (61) storedand implemented by the hardware above-described can include anelectromagnetic induction monitor module (62) which functions to monitorcurrent inductance levels (65) in the electromagnetic drive antenna(47), an electromagnetic inductance calculator module (64) whichfunctions to compare current electromagnetic inductance levels (65) to atarget electromagnetic inductance level (66), and an electromagneticinductance controller (67) which functions to adjust currentelectromagnetic inductance level (65) toward the target electromagneticinductance level (66).

Again referring primarily to FIGS. 2 and 3, the particular embodiment ofthe RFID reader (42) shown can further include RFID reader modules (61)located in the first RFID memory (52) of the RFID reader (42) includinga receiver module (68) which functions to create a execution handle toreceive the RFID data signal (44) transmitted with the radio-frequencycarrier signal (43) from the RFID (19). The receiver module (68) can beactivated by detection of movement of an RFID object (39) in theelectromagnetic field (69) generated by the electromagnetic fieldgenerator (46). The receiver module (68) transfers the RFID data signal(44) which can be decoded by a decoder module (70). The decoder module(70) can be activated by the receiver module (68) and can furtherfunction to separate RFID information (45) from a plurality of bitsegments (71)(72)(73) of the RFID (19) (see for example FIG. 3 and asfurther described below). The decoder module (70) can as to certain RFIDinformation (45) activate a RFID reader calculator module (74) (see FIG.3) to perform calculation functions and generate RFID objectcharacteristic values (75) from sensed RFID object information (56) (seeFIG. 3). A data management module (76) which can function in part toactivate an RFID data encoder module (77) which functions to assembletransmitted RFID information (45) of the bit segments (71)(72)(73) ofthe RFID (19) (see FIG. 3) into a form which can be used by the datamanagement module (76). A serial packet manager (77 a) handles datapackets output from the RFID reader data encoder module (77) to thecommunication port (51) for LAN or WAN transmission. A communicationport enumerator module (78) functions to assign communication portinformation for a port controller module (63) which functions to controlcommunications between the data management module (76) and servercomputer (1) or the remote computer (34).

While the above example describes the components of a RFID reader (42)(including hardware implements the functionalities of the firmware)which can be used with the inventive computer implemented animalmanagement system; the invention is not so limited and a numerous andwide variety of RFID readers (42) known to those of ordinary skill inthe art can be made compatible with the functionalities of the animaltracking application (17) further described herein, as one non-limitingexample, hand held scanners available from Symbol Technologies, Inc.,One Symbol Plaza, Holtsville, N.Y. 11742 and RFID tags from AlienTechnology, 1830 NDSU Research Circle North, Forgo, N. Dak. 58103.

Now referring primarily to FIGS. 1 and 3, as to certain embodiments ofthe computer implemented animal management system, the RFID (19) can belocated in the hollow inside of a bolus (79). Certain configurations ofthe bolus (79) can be ingested by certain RFID objects (39), such ascattle and be retained in a part of the stomach; although the inventionis not so limited. A first bit segment (71) of the RFID device (19)implanted in an animal (40) can be encoded or re-encoded with an amountof RFID object identification information (80) (which can be a bolusidentification number (81), animal identification number (82), or thelike). A second bit segment (72) of the RFID (19) can be encoded orre-encoded from time to time with sensed RFID object characteristics(84) received from a sensor (83) which can be located within the bolus(79) or otherwise implanted within the RFID object (39) whether ananimal (40) or an asset (41). For the purposes of this invention, sensedRFID object characteristics (84) can include without limitation a sensedcharacteristic of the RFID object (39), animal (40) or asset (41), forexample, any one or more of location, temperature, pH, or the like, orany one or more of physiological characteristics of an animal (40) suchas temperature, pH, heart rate, blood pressure, partial pressures ofdissolved gases, or the like. The sensor (83) can as non-limitingexamples be an omnidirectional tilt and vibration Sensor (PN SQ-SEN-200)distributed by Signal Quest Precision Microsensors; a BetachipThermistor (PN 1K2OG3) distributed by BetaTHERM Sensors; a humiditysensor (PN HCZ-D5) distributed by Ghitron Technology CO., Ltd; an ultraminiature pressure transducer (PN COQ-062) distributed by Kulite, aproximity sensor (PN PY3-AN-3) distributed by Automation Direct.com.Variation of the sensed RFID object characteristic(s) (84) can becontinuously or intermittently updated by encoding or re-encoding thesecond bit segment (72) of the RFID (19). A third bit segment (73) ofthe RFID (19) can be encoded or re-encoded from time to time with anamount of calibration data (57) which allows a RFID objectcharacteristic value (75) to be calculated from the sensed RFID objectcharacteristic (84) of the RFID object (39), animal (40) or asset (41).

The RFID object identification information (80), the sensed RFID objectcharacteristics (84), and the amount of calibration data (57) can becollected from the corresponding first bit segment (71), second bitsegment (72), and third bit segment (73) of the RFID (19) by the RFIDreader (42), as above described, when the RFID object (39) passes withinsufficiently close proximity of the RFID reader (42). As to certainembodiments of the RFID reader (42) the RFID object identificationinformation (80) and the sensed RFID object characteristics (84) and thecalibration data (57) can be received by the RFID reader (42) andcoupled to a time-date stamp (54) (which for example can take the formof HH:MM:SS and MM/DD/YY). The RFID object characteristic value (75) canbe calculated by operation of a RFID reader calculator module (74)having a location in the RFID reader (42) or in the server computer (2)or the remote computer (34) (as to certain embodiments) using the sensedRFID object characteristic (74) and the calibration data (57). A paritysegment (73 a) can be located at the beginning and the end of the RFIDinformation (45) from a plurality of bit segments (71)(72)(73) toidentify the start and the stop of the RFID information (45).

The RFID object identification information (80) and the sensed RFIDobject characteristics value (75) can be separated, sorted and loadedinto a current reads database table (86) stored in the first RFID memory(52) or in the server computer (1) or in the remote computer (34) memory(as to certain embodiments). The current reads database table (86)matches the calculated RFID object characteristic value (75) andtime-date stamp (54). The calculated RFID object characteristic value(75) and time-date stamp (54) matched to the RFID object identificationinformation (80) in the current reads database table (86) can in afurther step be separated or sorted by RFID object identificationinformation (80) (or a bolus identification number (81) animalidentification number (82) for animal (40) embodiments) and the currentreads for each of a plurality of individual RFID objects (39) can bestored in a corresponding plurality of RFID database tables (87) storedin a memory element (3) of the server computer (1) or remote computer(34) for retrieval by RFID object identification information (80)(animal identification number (82) or bolus identification number (81)depending upon the application of the invention.

Again referring primarily to FIG. 3, which provides a non-limitingexample of a RFID object database table (87) (“Storage Database #1234 inthe example) which includes the current reads for the RFID object (39)(#1234) in which the sensed RFID object characteristic (84) of the RFIDobject (39) is temperature calculated by operation of the a RFID readercalculator module (74) utilizing sensed RFID object characteristic (84)(temperature) and calibration data (57) to produce a RFID objectcharacteristic value (75) representing the temperature of the RFIDobject (39) which can be for example the temperature of a bovine animalwhich can be encoded by or assembled or matched with the animalidentification number (82) (or bolus identification number (82)) and thedate-time stamp (54) into the RFID object database table (87) by the adata encoder module (77) or encoder-decoder application (18) at thelevel of the server computer (1) or remote computer (34).

RFID object characteristic values (75), the date-time stamp (54), andthe animal identification number (82) encoded or assembled can beautomatically entered into the current reads database table (86) andautomatically separated by animal identification number (82) andautomatically entered into the RFID object database table (87) data canbe transmitted from the RFID reader (42) in a LAN or WAN or BLUETOOTHenvironment or collected from a USB peripheral such as a barcodescanner, or collected from a external database (see FIG. 4 “AutomaticData Entry” (89 a)) to the server computer (1) or the remote computer(34).

Again referring primarily to FIGS. 4 and 5, the animal managementapplication (17) of the server computer (1) can further function togenerate a graphic user interface (88) which can be viewed on themonitor (26) of the server computer (1) the remote computer (34) andprovides control icons (31) (or fields or other interactive indicia)which by click event activate certain modules of the animal managementapplication (17). In one non-limiting embodiment of the animalmanagement application (17), the generated graphic user interface (88)provides a data entry icon (89) which upon click event generates dataentry tables (90) (see for example FIG. 5) into which data can beautomatically entered (89 a) or manually entered (89 b) (see FIG. 4“Manual Data Entry”) for transfer to RFID relational database tables(91) and RFID object database tables (87) by click event such as mouseclick of drop down menus, key board, touch screen, PDA stylus, voicerecognition, or the like, as further described below.

Now referring primarily to FIG. 5, click event on the data entry icon(89) activates a manual data entry module (92) which can function togenerate a RFID object relational data base table (91) which provides alist of relational tables (93) having linked relation to each other.While the particular examples provided by this description and thecorresponding Figures may utilize particular terms to readily identifyparticular tables; however, these terms are not intended to be limitingwith respect to the breadth of the functionality encompassed by thatparticular table. By click event, for example, on the Table: Bolus ID(94), a bolus identification table (95) or bolus identification fieldcan be generated into which a bolus identification number (81) can beentered. Entry of the a bolus identification number (81) (for example1234) into the bolus identification table (95) operates to change thebolus identification number (81) in the RFID object relational databasetable (91) assigned to the particular animal (40). Similarly, by clickevent on the Table: Ear tag ID (96) in the list of relational tables(93), an ear tag identification table (96 a) can be generated into whichan ear tag identifier (97) can be entered. Entry of the ear tagidentifier (97) into the ear tag identification table (96 a) operates tochange the ear tag identifier (97) in the RFID object relationaldatabase table (91) assigned to the particular RFID object (39) (in thisexample an animal (40)).

Now referring primarily to FIG. 6, click event on the data entry icon(89) can activate the manual data entry module (92) which can functionto display a RFID object relational data base table (91) which providesa list of relational tables (93) which have linked relation to eachother. Click event in any one of the list of relational tables (93) (forexample, on “Table: Diagnosis” (98)) (see for example FIG. 5) cangenerate a RFID object database table (91) (in this example the “StorageDatabase Diagnosis Table” (99)) (see FIG. 6) which can be configured toinclude any number of diagnosis identifiers (100) (for example row“Mastitis” (101)). Each diagnosis identifier (100) can be matched with adiagnosis identifier number (102) (Mastitis matched with diagnosisidentifier number 1 (103)) and matched with a storage databaseidentifier (104) (Mastitis matched with storage database 01). Upon entryof the diagnosis identifier (101) matched with the diagnosis identifiernumber (103) and storage database number (104) the animal managementapplication (17) can function to update the RFID object relationaldatabase table (91) of the RFID object (39) (animal (40)) to include thediagnosis status (99 a) in the correspondingly linked field (refer toFIG. 5 in which the linked field Table: Diagnosis has been updated toinclude 01, 1 for the RFID object relational database table (91) of theanimal (40) associated with ear tag identifier (97) (“456”).

Now referring primarily to FIG. 7, as one additional non-limitingexample, click event on the data entry icon (89) can further activatethe data entry module (92) to provide the RFID object storage databasetable (91) of a particular RFID object (39) (animal (40)). By clickevent on Table: Diagnosis (98), a Treatment Storage Database Table (105)can be graphically displayed which allows a treatment plan (106) to beentered for a particular animal (40) including a treatment identifier(107) (typically a numeric value), the treatment material (108) (drug orother therapeutic material), the number of days of use (109), the numberof clearance days (110), the number of units of treatment material(111), the units (112), and the storage database identifier (113). Uponentry of the treatment plan (106), the RFID object relational databasetable (91) of the particular RFID object (39) (animal (40)) (see FIG. 5)would be updated for example in the Table: Treatment (114) to includetreatment status 02, 1 (114 a) (see FIG. 5) identifying the treatmentplan (106) for the RFID object (39) (animal (40)) having the related eartag identifier (97) (bolus number (81)).

Now referring primarily to FIG. 8, as one additional non-limitingexample, click event on the data entry icon (89) can further activatethe data entry module (92) to retrieve the RFID object relationaldatabase table (91) of a particular RFID object (39) (animal (40). Byclick event in the RFID object relational database table (91) of “PenNumber” (115), a Pen Definition Storage Database Table (116) can begraphically displayed which allows a pen definition (117) to be createdwhether for a pen in general or for a pen in which to locate aparticular the RFID object (39) (animal (40)). By creating a pendefinition (117) for a RFID object(s) (39) (animal (40)), those RFIDobjects (39) (animals (40)) having a similar status such as days in milk(118), milk production (119), reproductive status (120), or the like canbe grouped together in the same pen number(s) (115). Accordingly, thepen definition (117) can be created by selection or entry of pendefinition elements (121) sufficient to define the pen for a category ofRFID objects (39) (animal (40)) such as a pen description (121) (such ashigh production, low production, or the like), pen number (122), RFIDobject database table identifier (123), maximum count (124), minimumcount (125), maximum milking days (126), minimum milking days (127),milking schedule (128), maximum days pregnant (129), minimum dayspregnant (130), breeding status (131), milk production (132), or thelike. Upon entry of the pen definition elements (121) the pen number(122) and the RFID object database table identifier (123) can be updatedinto the RFID object relational database tables (91) (see FIG. 5 showingpen status identifier (115 a) as 03-050).

Again referring primarily to FIG. 4, the animal management application(17) of the server computer (1) can further function as above describedto generate the graphic user interface (88) which further providescontrol icons (31) which by click event activate provides a list displayicon (133) which upon click event displays a plurality of list icons(134) such as an Alert List (135), a Hospital List (136), a Pens List(137), or Malfunction List (138) each of which upon click eventactivates the functionalities of a corresponding alert module (135 a),hospital module (139), pen module (140), or malfunction module (141), orthe like, as further described below.

Now referring primarily to FIG. 9, which provides a block diagram whichillustrates how the alert module (135 a) populates an alert list (135).While the example provided by FIG. 9, illustrates how the alert module(135 a) operates for the sensed RFID object characteristic (84) ofsensing temperature of an animal (40); the invention is not so limitedand any sensed RFID object characteristic (84) for which a RFID objectcharacteristic value (85) can be generated and compared to acorresponding threshold range (143) can the basis for populating analert list (135) for the sensed RFID object characteristics (84) such aslocation, temperature, pH, heart rate, blood pressure, partial pressuresof dissolved gases, or the like, in accordance with the invention.

Now referring primarily to FIGS. 3 and 9, which provides a non-limitingexample of a sensed RFID object characteristic (84) which can be updatedfrom time to time as an RFID object characteristic value (75) fortemperature in the current reads database table (86) and the RFID objectdatabase table (87) and stored in the memory element (3) of the servercomputer (1) or remote computer (34), as above described. The alertmodule (135 a) can further function to compare the updated RFID objectcharacteristic value (75) for a particular RFID object (39) (animal (40)in this non-limiting example the sensed temperature of bolusidentification number (81) 1234 (BID#1234)) with the prior establishedthreshold values (144) (for example a high threshold value and a lowthreshold value for BID#1234) for the sensed RFID object characteristicvalue (75) for temperature of the same animal (40) (see for example FIG.9). As to certain embodiments, the alert module (135 a) can function toaverage all the prior sensed RFID object characteristic values (75) fora particular sensed RFID object characteristic (84) (in the instantexample temperature values for BID#1234) of a particular RFID object(39) (animal (40)) to generate a mean value (145) for the prior sensedRFID object characteristic values (75) for temperature (for example asshown in FIG. 9 a mean temperature of 102.6° F. fpr BID#1234). The alertmodule (135 a) can further operate on all of the prior sensed RFIDobject characteristic values (75) for temperature of that particularRFID object (39) (animal (40) BID#1234) to establish a mean deviationvalue (146). The alert module can utilize the mean deviation value (146)to generate a RFID object characteristic value range (147) for thesensed RFID object characteristic values (75) (temperature) for thatparticular RFID object (39) (animal (40) BID#1234 as shown FIG. 9 arange (147) of about 103° F. to about 101.0° F.). The numeric value atthe either end of the RFID object characteristic value range (147)provides the threshold values (144) against which sensed RFID objectcharacteristic values (temperature values for BID#1234 in the instantexample) can be compared by function of the alert module (135 a). Thealert module (135 a) can then compare each new sensed RFID objectcharacteristic value (75) to the threshold values (144). The alertmodule (138) can then function to populate the alert list (135)(viewable by click event on the list display icon (133)) with RFIDobject identification information (80) (such as BID#1234) coupled toRFID object characteristic values (75) (in the instant exampletemperature values) which are outside of the value range (147)established by the threshold values (144).

Now referring primarily to FIG. 10, which shows an alert list (135)populated with RFID object identification information (80) having asensed RFID object characteristic value (75) (in the instant example,temperature values of animal (40)) that fall outside of the RFID objectcharacteristic value range (147) thresholds (144)). The alert listmodule (135 a) can further function upon click event of a listed RFIDobject (39) (or the object identification information (80) and in thisexample again referring to BID#1234) to retrieve the corresponding RFIDobject relational data base table (91) for the listed RFID object (39)(animal (40)), as above described. The RFID object relational data basetable (91) allows the RFID object (39) (animal (40)) to be located bypen number (115) (in the example BID#1234 located in Pen Number 3). Asfurther shown in FIG. 10, and as prior described, by click event in thelist of relational tables (93) the manual data entry module (92) canfunction to allow entry of diagnosis identifiers (100) and a treatmentplan (106), as described above, into the Diagnosis Table (99) andTreatment Table (105). The RFID object relational database table (91) ofthe particular RFID object (39) (animal (40)) (see FIG. 5) can beupdated to include the new Pen Number (115 a) (Hospital Pen 150) andtreatment status 02, 1 (114 a) (see for example FIG. 5) identifying thetreatment plan (106) for the RFID object (39) (animal (40)) having therelated ear tag identifier (97) (bolus number (81)).

Now referring primarily to FIG. 11, which provides a block diagram whichillustrates how the hospital module (139) populates a hospital list(136). The hospital module (139) includes a hospital days counter (149)which functions to count the number days (151) a particular RFID object(39) (animal (40)) has been located in a hospital pen (115 b). Thehospital days counter (149) retrieves from the corresponding RFID objectrelational data base table (91) and corresponding RFID object data basetables (87) the date time stamp (54) for the first day the RFID object(39) (animal (40)) was located in a hospital pen (150) and adds one dayto a hospital day count (151) for each 24 hour interval the RFID object(39) remains in the hospital pen (150). The hospital module (139)further includes a treatment days counter (152) which retrieves the datetime stamp (54) for the first day of treatment (153) of the RFID object(39) and adds one day to a treatment day count (154) for each treatmentday of the RFID object (39). The hospital module (136) further includesa clearance date counter (155) which retrieves the treatment day count(154) from the treatment days counter (152) and the clearance out days(110) from the treatment storage database table (105) to calculate thetreatment clearance date (156). The hospital module (136) can furtherfunction to draw upon the various RFID object data base tables (87) togenerate a hospital list (136) and populate the hospital list (136) withanimal identification number (82) in the hospital pen (150), diagnosis(102), hospital day count (157), treatment material (108), treatment daycount (154), and clearance date (156).

Now referring primarily to FIG. 12, which provides a block diagram thatillustrates a functionality of a pen module (140) which populates a penlist (137) to show RFID objects (39) (animal (40)) which are not locatedin the correct pen number (122). In a first mode, the pen module (140)includes a pen watch module (158) which compares for each RFID object(39) (animal (40)) the pen definition (117) in the pen definitionstorage database (116) against the actual pen number (122) entered inthe corresponding RFID object relational database table (91) for theRFID object (39) (40). The pen module (140) can further function togenerate a pen list (137) of the RFID objects (39) having an actual pennumber (122) which differs from the corresponding pen definition (117)in the pen definition storage database (116).

Now referring primarily to FIG. 13, which provides a block diagram thatillustrates another functionality of the pen module (140) which sortsRFID objects (39) based on comparison of the RFID information entered,as above described, into the data entry tables (90) of correspondingRFID object relational data base tables (91) of each RFID object(39)(40). As one non-limiting example, the pen description (121) (forexample “high production”) can correspond to an RFID object (39)(40)having milk production greater than a pre-selected milk production value(132) (for example “>55”). The sort module (159) can operate to comparethe milk production value (132) listed for each of a plurality of RFIDobjects (39)(40) in the corresponding plurality of RFID objectrelational data base tables (91) to the pen description (121) for “highproduction”. The sort module (159) can then operate to generate a penlist (137) of RFID objects (39)(40) with pen numbers (122) in which“high production” RFID objects can be optimally located. By click eventin the graphic user interface (88) of the list display icon (133) andsubsequent click event on pens list (133) and click event to activatethe sort module (159) all the RFID objects (39) can be included in ansort list (160) with a corresponding optimal pen number (122).

Again referring to FIG. 4, the animal tracking system can furtherinclude a graph display module (161) which can function upon click eventof a corresponding graph display icon (162) in the graphic userinterface (88) to generate graphs (163) from data drawn from the RFIDobject relational data base tables (91) or the RFID object data basetables (87) of individual RFID objects (39)(40) or any particulargrouping of RFID objects (39). Alternately, a data display module (163)can function upon click event of a corresponding data display icon (164)in the graphic user interface (88) to generate data display fields (165)which provide a line by line display of data drawn from one or more RFIDobject relational data base tables (91) or RFID object database tables(87).

For the purposes of the present invention, ranges may be expressedherein as from “about” one particular value to “about” anotherparticular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodimentincludes from the one particular value to the other particular value.Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of theantecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular valueforms another embodiment. It will be further understood that theendpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to theother endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. As to anyparticular value or any particular range the term “about” means withinten percent of the numerical value or numerical value of the end pointsof a range.

Moreover, for the purposes of the present invention, the term “a” or“an” entity refers to one or more of that entity; for example, “arelational data base table” refers to one or more of those relationaldata base tables. As such, the terms “a” or “an”, “one or more” and “atleast one” can be used interchangeably herein.

As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts ofthe present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways whichincludes as one embodiment described the best mode of the invention. Theinvention involves numerous and varied embodiments of an animal trackingsystem. As such, the particular embodiments or elements of the inventiondisclosed by the description or shown in the figures or tablesaccompanying this application are not intended to be limiting, butrather exemplary of the numerous and varied embodiments genericallyencompassed by the invention or equivalents encompassed with respect toany particular element thereof. In addition, the specific description ofa single embodiment or element of the invention may not explicitlydescribe all embodiments or elements possible; many alternatives areimplicitly disclosed by the description and figures.

It should be understood that each element of an apparatus or each stepof a method may be described by an apparatus term or method term. Suchterms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitlybroad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As but one example,it should be understood that all steps of a method may be disclosed asan action, a means for taking that action, or as an element which causesthat action. Similarly, each element of an apparatus may be disclosed asthe physical element or the action which that physical elementfacilitates. As but one example, the disclosure of a “server” should beunderstood to encompass disclosure of the act of “serving”—whetherexplicitly discussed or not—and, conversely, were there effectivelydisclosure of the act of “serving”, such a disclosure should beunderstood to encompass disclosure of a “server” and even a “means forserving.” Such alternative terms for each element or step are to beunderstood to be explicitly included in the description.

In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unlessits utilization in this application is inconsistent with suchinterpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood toincluded in the description for each term as contained in the RandomHouse Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition, each definitionhereby incorporated by reference.

Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to claim at least: i) eachof the computer implemented animal management systems herein disclosedand described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii)similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of thesedevices and methods, iv) those alternative embodiments which accomplisheach of the functions shown, disclosed, or described, v) thosealternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functionsshown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed anddescribed, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as separate andindependent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the varioussystems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products producedby such systems or components, ix) methods and apparatuses substantiallyas described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanyingexamples, x) the various combinations and permutations of each of theprevious elements disclosed.

The background section of this patent application provides a statementof the field of endeavor to which the invention pertains. This sectionmay also incorporate or contain paraphrasing of certain United Statespatents, patent applications, publications, or subject matter of theclaimed invention useful in relating information, problems, or concernsabout the state of technology to which the invention is drawn toward. Itis not intended that any United States patent, patent application,publication, statement or other information cited or incorporated hereinbe interpreted, construed or deemed to be admitted as prior art withrespect to the invention.

The claims set forth in this specification, if any, are herebyincorporated by reference as part of this description of the invention,and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or aportion of such incorporated content of such claims as additionaldescription to support any of or all of the claims or any element orcomponent thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves theright to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of suchclaims or any element or component thereof from the description into theclaims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for whichprotection is sought by this application or by any subsequentapplication or continuation, division, or continuation-in-partapplication thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in feespursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations ofany country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shallsurvive during the entire pendency of this application including anysubsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part applicationthereof or any reissue or extension thereon.

The claims set forth below are intended to describe the metes and boundsof a limited number of the preferred embodiments of the invention andare not to be construed as the broadest embodiment of the invention or acomplete listing of embodiments of the invention that may be claimed.The applicant does not waive any right to develop further claims basedupon the description set forth above as a part of any continuation,division, or continuation-in-part, or similar application.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A computer implemented method of animal tracking,comprising the steps of: a) connecting a computer to an RFID devicereader; b) reading an RFID device implanted in an animal with said RFIDdevice reader; c) retrieving an amount of animal identificationinformation from a first bit segment of said RFID device implanted in ananimal; d) retrieving an amount of date-time information from a secondbit segment of said RFID device implanted in said animal; e) retrievingan amount of sensed animal information from a third bit segment of saidRFID device implanted in said animal; f) retrieving an amount of animallocation information from a fourth bit segment of said RFID deviceimplanted in said animal; g) linking to said amount of informationretrieved from each said bit segment of said RFID device implanted insaid animal an amount of animal information of said animal stored in adata base of said computer; h) converting said amount of informationretrieved from each bit segment of said RFID device implanted in saidanimal linked to said amount of animal information of said animal storedin said database of said computer into a plurality of logical variables;i) inserting at least one of said plurality of logical variables into atleast one logical expression; j) obtaining a logical value relating tosaid animal.
 22. The computer implemented method of animal tracking asdescribed in claim 21, wherein said step of retrieving an amount ofanimal identification information from a first bit segment of an RFIDdevice implanted in an animal comprises the step of retrieving an amountof animal identification information from a first bit segment of aplurality of RFID devices implanted in a plurality of animals.
 23. Thecomputer implemented method of animal tracking as described in claim 22,wherein said step of retrieving an amount of date-time information froma second bit segment of said RFID device implanted in said animalcomprises the step of retrieving an amount of date-time information froma second bit segment of said plurality of RFID devices implanted in saidplurality of animals.
 24. The computer implemented method of animaltracking as described in claim 23, wherein said step of retrieving anamount of sensed animal information from a third bit segment of saidRFID device implanted in said animal comprises the step of retrieving anamount of sensed animal information from a third bit segment of saidplurality of RFID devices implanted in said plurality of animals. 25.The computer implemented method of animal tracking as described in claim24, wherein said step of retrieving an amount of animal locationinformation from a fourth bit segment of said RFID device implanted insaid animal comprises the step of retrieving an amount of animallocation information from a fourth bit segment of said plurality of RFIDdevices implanted in said plurality of animals.
 26. The computerimplemented method of animal tracking as described in claim 25, whereinsaid step of linking to said amount of information retrieved from eachsaid bit segment of said RFID device implanted in said animal an amountof animal information of said animal stored in a data base of saidcomputer comprises the step of linking to said amount of informationretrieved from each said bit segment of said plurality of RFID devicesimplanted in said plurality of animals an amount of animal informationof each of said plurality of animals stored in said database of saidcomputer.
 27. The computer implemented method of animal tracking asdescribed in claim 26, wherein said step of retrieving an amount ofsensed animal information from a third bit segment of said plurality ofRFID devices implanted in said plurality of animals comprises the stepof retrieving an amount of sensed temperature information from saidthird bit segment of said plurality of RFID devices implanted in saidplurality of animals.
 28. The computer implemented method of animaltracking as described in claim 27, wherein the step of linking to saidamount of information retrieved from each said bit segment of saidplurality of RFID devices implanted in said plurality of animals anamount of animal information of each of said plurality of animals storedin said database of said computer comprises the step of linking to saidamount of information retrieved from each said bit segment of saidplurality of RFID devices implanted in said plurality of animals anamount of health information corresponding to each of said plurality ofanimals.
 29. The computer implemented method of animal tracking asdescribed in claim 28, wherein the step of retrieving an amount ofanimal location information from a fourth bit segment of said pluralityof RFID devices implanted in said plurality of animals comprisesretrieving an amount of animal pen location information from a fourthbit segment of said plurality of RFID devices implanted in saidplurality of animals.
 30. The computer implemented method of animaltracking as described in claim 29, wherein said step of inserting atleast one of said plurality of logical variables into at least onelogical expression comprises the step of inserting an occurrence ofillness for each of said plurality of animals in a selected pen during aselected period of time to determine whether there is a greater thanselected number of said occurrence of illness.
 31. The computerimplemented method of animal tracking as described in claim 27, whereinthe step of linking to said amount of information retrieved from eachsaid bit segment of said plurality of RFID devices implanted in saidplurality of animals an amount of animal information of each of saidplurality of animals stored in said database of said computer comprisesthe step of linking to said amount of information retrieved from eachsaid bit segment of said plurality of RFID devices implanted in saidplurality of animals an amount of desired pen count information, anamount of milk production information, an amount of days milkedinformation, and an amount of reproductive information.
 32. The computerimplemented method of animal tracking as described in claim 31, whereinsaid step of inserting at least one of said plurality of logicalvariables into at least one logical expression comprises the step ofcomprises the step of inserting an amount of desired pen countinformation, an amount of milk production information, an amount of daysmilked information, and an amount of reproductive information.
 33. Thecomputer implemented method of animal tracking as described in claim 32,wherein said step of obtaining a logical value relating to said animalcomprises the step of obtaining for a selected period of time for eachof said plurality of animals which of a plurality of pens in which tolocate each of said plurality of animals.
 34. The computer implementedmethod of animal tracking as described in claim 27, wherein the step oflinking to said amount of information retrieved from each said bitsegment of said plurality of RFID devices implanted in said plurality ofanimals an amount of animal information of each of said plurality ofanimals stored in said database of said computer comprises the step oflinking to said amount of information retrieved from each said bitsegment of said plurality of RFID devices implanted in said plurality ofanimals an amount of date-time information as to administration of afirst compound to each of said plurality of animals, an amount ofdate-time information as to administration of a second compound to eachof said plurality of animals, an amount of date-time information as tooccurrence of first compound effects on each of said plurality ofanimals, an amount of date-time information as to occurrence of secondcompound effects on each of said plurality of animals.
 35. The computerimplemented method of animal tracking as described in claim 34, whereinsaid step of inserting at least one of said plurality of logicalvariables into at least one logical expression comprises the step ofinserting an amount of date-time information as to administration of afirst compound to each of said plurality of animals, an amount ofdate-time information as to administration of a second compound to eachof said plurality of animals, an amount of date-time information as tooccurrence of first compound effects on each of said plurality ofanimals, an amount of date-time information as to occurrence of secondcompound effects on each of said plurality of animals.
 36. The computerimplemented method of animal tracking as described in claim 21, furthercomprising the step of providing a server connected to said computerwhich provides a browser-based user interface which enables an animaltracker to track each of said plurality of animals based on said amountof information retrieved from each said bit segment of said plurality ofRFID devices implanted in said plurality of animals.
 37. The computerimplemented method of animal tracking as described in claim 36, furthercomprising the step of providing a computer network connected to saidcomputer.
 38. The computer implemented method of animal tracking asdescribed in claim 37, further comprising the step of providing a widearea network to which said computer connects.
 39. The computerimplemented method of animal tracking as described in claim 38, furthercomprising the step of providing at least one client computer capable ofconfiguration with said executable program instructions connected tosaid wide area network.
 40. The computer implemented method of animaltracking as described in claim 39, wherein said step of providing atleast one client computer capable of configuration with said executableprogram instructions connected to said wide area network comprises thestep of providing a palm device capable of configuration with saidexecutable program instructions connected to said wide area network. 41.The computer implemented method of animal tracking as described in claim40, wherein said step of providing at least one client computer capableof configuration with said executable program instructions connected tosaid wide area network comprises the step of providing a cellulartelephone capable of configuration with said executable programinstructions connected to said wide area network.
 42. The computerimplemented method of animal tracking as described in any one of claim39, 40, or 41, further comprising the step of providing a portable RFIDdevice reader.
 43. The computer implemented method of animal tracking asdescribed in claim 42, further comprising the step of connecting saidportable RFID device reader to said client computer.
 44. The computerimplemented animal tracking system as described in claim 42, furthercomprising the step of connecting said portable RFID device reader tosaid wireless palm device.
 45. The computer implemented animal trackingsystem as described in claim 42, further comprising the step ofconnecting said portable RFID device reader to said cellular telephone.46. The computer implemented animal tracking system as described inclaim 42, wherein said step of reading an RFID device implanted in ananimal with said RFID device reader comprises the step of reading anRFID device said RFID device part of a bolus ingested by a bovineanimal.